Diamond Head Lookout, Honolulu
Diamond Head, a volcanic formation on Oahu Island in Hawaii, stands as the most frequented park in the state. In the 1800s, British soldiers mistook beachside calcite crystals for diamonds, hence the name. The site, also known as Diamond Head Lookout, provides breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu, accessible via a trail leading to the crater's rim, formed about 300,000 years ago.
This landmark is part of the Ko鈥檕lau Range, a series of volcanoes that started forming underwater over 2.6 million years ago. Diamond Head's distinct crater, spanning 350 acres, emerged from a single explosive eruption, characterizing it as a 'tuff cone' 鈥� a specific volcanic formation.
At 762 feet above sea level, and 560 feet from its base, Diamond Head is a unique, monogenetic volcano, meaning it erupted only once. Its last activity was between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago, and it has been inactive since.
In 1905, the U.S. government acquired Diamond Head Crater and nearby areas, developing Fort Ruger, Hawaii's first military reservation, as part of coastal defense. Remnants of this military history, like Battery 407, Birkhimer Tunnel, and various defense headquarters, still exist.
Diamond Head Trail offers a rare chance to trek to a volcano's edge. This path leads to expansive views of Oahu, the renowned Diamond Head Lighthouse, a U.S. Coast Guard facility also featured on a postage stamp, and the Pacific Ocean. On clear days, even Molokai Island is visible.
The trail, established in 1908 for military construction, stretches 0.6 miles up the crater. It's a switchback path, originally made for personnel and mules carrying building materials. In 1940, the Kahala tunnel was added as the main entrance. Diamond Head was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1968.
This landmark is part of the Ko鈥檕lau Range, a series of volcanoes that started forming underwater over 2.6 million years ago. Diamond Head's distinct crater, spanning 350 acres, emerged from a single explosive eruption, characterizing it as a 'tuff cone' 鈥� a specific volcanic formation.
At 762 feet above sea level, and 560 feet from its base, Diamond Head is a unique, monogenetic volcano, meaning it erupted only once. Its last activity was between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago, and it has been inactive since.
In 1905, the U.S. government acquired Diamond Head Crater and nearby areas, developing Fort Ruger, Hawaii's first military reservation, as part of coastal defense. Remnants of this military history, like Battery 407, Birkhimer Tunnel, and various defense headquarters, still exist.
Diamond Head Trail offers a rare chance to trek to a volcano's edge. This path leads to expansive views of Oahu, the renowned Diamond Head Lighthouse, a U.S. Coast Guard facility also featured on a postage stamp, and the Pacific Ocean. On clear days, even Molokai Island is visible.
The trail, established in 1908 for military construction, stretches 0.6 miles up the crater. It's a switchback path, originally made for personnel and mules carrying building materials. In 1940, the Kahala tunnel was added as the main entrance. Diamond Head was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1968.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Honolulu. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Diamond Head Lookout on Map
Sight Name: Diamond Head Lookout
Sight Location: Honolulu, USA (See walking tours in Honolulu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Honolulu, USA (See walking tours in Honolulu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Honolulu, Hawaii
Create Your Own Walk in Honolulu
Creating your own self-guided walk in Honolulu is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Diamond Head Volcano Tour
Diamond Head Volcano, an iconic natural landmark, is perhaps one of the best-known attractions on the island of Oahu. While not a traditional volcano in the sense of actively erupting, Diamond Head is a dormant volcanic crater that offers a glimpse into the geological history of the Hawaiian Islands.
The volcano's rugged cone is seen from almost every part of the island. However, at its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
The volcano's rugged cone is seen from almost every part of the island. However, at its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Pearl Harbor Walking Tour
Pearl Harbor, a US deep-water naval base in Honolulu, made history in 1941 when it came under attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service prompting the United States to enter World War II. Since 1964, Pearl Harbor has been a National Historic Landmark, featuring a number of military objects and installations-turned-monuments.
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is at the heart of this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is at the heart of this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Waikiki Beach Walk
Once the playground of Hawaiian aristocracy stretching along the southern coast of the island of Oahu, Waikiki, or Waikiki Beach, today greets visitors from all walks of life and corners of the globe. This iconic beachfront area of Honolulu, famed for its long rolling ocean break ideal for boarding and surfing, is also home to public places, high-end resort hotels, and an abundance of luxury brand... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Honolulu Downtown Walking Tour
Honolulu is the largest city in Hawaii and the state's capital. Visitors flock here to enjoy the pristine beaches, beautiful scenery and unique culture. There is much to see and do in Honolulu.
The first residents of Honolulu were probably settled during the 11th century. These Polynesian migrants are thought to have come from Tahiti. King Kamehameha I conquered Oahu and claimed the area... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The first residents of Honolulu were probably settled during the 11th century. These Polynesian migrants are thought to have come from Tahiti. King Kamehameha I conquered Oahu and claimed the area... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
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